Gold Coast Rapid Transit
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Gold Coast Rapid Transit 20 Soils, Geology and Topography 41/16445/364842 Gold Coast Rapid Transit Concept Design Impact Management Plan Volume 2 Chapter 20 - Soils, Geology and Topography Contents 1. Introduction 20–1 2. Description of the Existing Environment 20–2 2.1 Corridor Topography, Landform Patterns and Existing Environment 20–2 2.2 Geology and Soils 20–3 2.3 Contaminated Land 20–15 3. Potential Benefits, Impacts and Mitigation Measures 20–21 3.1 Overview of Potential Benefits and Impacts 20–21 3.2 Specific impacts and mitigation measures 20–22 4. Conclusion and Recommendations 20–27 4.1 Overview 20–27 4.2 Topography and Landform 20–27 4.3 Geology and Soils 20–27 4.4 Acid Sulfate Soils 20–28 4.5 Contaminated Land 20–28 Table Index Table 20-2 Section 3 EMR Listings 20–19 Figure Index Figure 20-1 Topographical and Landform Characteristics of the Study Area (Section 2) 20–5 Figure 20-2 Topographical and Landform Characteristics of the Study Area (Section 3) 20–6 Figure 20-3 Geological Characteristics of the Study Area (Section 2) 20–7 Figure 20-4 Geological Characteristics of the Study Area (Section 3) 20–8 Figure 20-5 Soil Characteristics of the Study Area (Section 2) 20–9 Figure 20-6 Soil Characteristics of the Study Area (Section 3) 20–10 Vol 2 Chp 20–ii 41/16445/364842 Gold Coast Rapid Transit Concept Design Impact Management Plan Volume 2 Chapter 20 - Soils, Geology and Topography Figure 20-7 Acid Sulphate Soils Present within Study Area (Section 2) 20–13 Figure 20-8 Acid Sulphate Soils Present within Study Area (Section 3) 20–14 Figure 20-9 Contaminated Land Present within Study Area (Section 2) 20–16 Figure 20-10 Contaminated Land Present within Study Area (Section 3) 20–17 20 dden heading Vol 2 Chp 20–iii 41/16445/364842 Gold Coast Rapid Transit Concept Design Impact Management Plan Volume 2 Chapter 20 - Soils, Geology and Topography 1. Introduction The purpose of this chapter is to identify the topography, geological landforms and soil features along the Gold Coast Rapid Transit (GCRT) corridor and assess the impacts associated with its construction. It proposes mitigation measures to minimise these impacts on the soils, geology and topography of surrounding areas. The chapter seeks to inform the GCRT Project with background on the key areas of soils, geology and topography where relevant to the design, construction and operation of the GCRT. The preferred alignment crosses varying topographical, landform, geological and soil features between Southport and Broadbeach. A review of the landforms, landscape and topography of the alignment is provided below which is based on observations made during site visits by GHD personnel and from available mapping for the area. The data used to conduct this review is referenced in the title block of each figure referred to in this chapter. For detail on methodology and data sources, and site visits used for deriving soil, geology and topographical characteristics and potential impacts, refer to the Volume 7 technical report, titled Soils, Geology and Topography. Vol 2 Chp 20–1 41/16445/364842 Gold Coast Rapid Transit Concept Design Impact Management Plan Volume 2 Chapter 20 - Soils, Geology and Topography 2. Description of the Existing Environment 2.1 Corridor Topography, Landform Patterns and Existing Environment 2.1.1 Overview A review of the landforms, landscape and topography of the alignment is provided below and illustrated in Figure 20-1. This information is based on observations made during site visits in early October 2007, and available mapping for the project area. Topographical information for the alignment was provided by the Gold Coast City Council (GCCC), and is limited to contours of ten metre intervals. Figure 20-1 illustrates the topography and surrounding environment of Sections 2 and 3 of the GCRT. The elevations for the entire alignment range from 5 metres to 25 metres. 2.1.2 Section 2 Travelling east from University Hospital Station the route will be impacting on a former landfill located near Baratta Street in Southport. This landfill has been decommissioned and filled and is now being utilised as a GCCC depot. The former landfill is likely to pose issues for design, construction and operation of the GCRT in regards to management of contaminated soil, geotechnical issues and impact on surrounding watercourses such as Loders Creek, which follows the boundary of this site. The existing environment consists mainly of developed residential areas, commercial outlets, and public places (schools and parks). East of Southport, Broadwater and Scarborough Street South station is the Broadwater and Nerang River. Altered somewhat due to development and canal estates, works may still impact on these water bodies, especially when crossing the Broadwater on the Sundale Bridge. The topography is characterised by undulating hills with a gradual decline towards the Broadwater at the eastern most extent of the alignment. Elevations range between 5 metres and 25 metres Australian Height Datum (AHD1) (refer to Figure 20-1). The lowest lying areas are along Loders Creek (including adjacent to the GCCC Baratta Street Depot), the Broadwater, and the western end of Queen Street. 2.1.3 Section 3 Section 3 is bordered by Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach on the east side and the Nerang River and Canal waters on the west. The underlying sediments are mapped mostly as sands with the surrounding landscape dominated by residential apartment complexes and commercial outlets. Service stations are located intermittently along the alignment. The intensity of commercial and residential development in Section 3 has altered the original topographical landscape. This has resulted in the entire Section being relatively flat and around five metres AHD in all areas (Refer to Figure 20-1). A number of waterway crossings are present in this section where localised changes to the physical topography will occur, these include the Nerang River 1 AHD refers to Australian Height Datum. This is the standard elevation reference for mapping purposes adopted by the National Mapping Council of Australia. As a general guide, 0.0m AHD is approximately equal to mean sea level. Vol 2 Chp 20–2 41/16445/364842 Gold Coast Rapid Transit Concept Design Impact Management Plan Volume 2 Chapter 20 - Soils, Geology and Topography near Macintosh Island, Narrow Neck, Chevron Island, Paradise Island, Isle of Capri, Florida Gardens and Jupiter’s Casino. 2.2 Geology and Soils 2.2.1 Overview Background information into the geological forms within the project area is detailed below. By referencing the Geological Society of Queensland, 1:500,000 Moreton Geology Map (1980) and data provided by GCCC at a scale of 1:100,000, it is apparent the overall project area is dominated by a combination of Quaternary-aged alluvial and coastal plain sediments and the Devonian- to Carboniferous-aged Neranleigh-Fernvale beds. Neranleigh Fernvale beds typically comprise sequences of deep-water marine sediments and some marine volcanics, which have been subjected to weak regional metamorphism. Rock types can include phyllite, grey wacke, arenite, quartz arenite and quartzite. The alluvial sediments are much younger and typically comprise clays, sands, silt and gravel at varying degrees of consolidation. A review of Geological and soil characteristics of Sections 2 and 3 of the alignment is provided below and illustrated in Figure 20-3 to Figure 20-6. 2.2.2 Section 2 A review of the available mapping and information for the Section 2 project area indicates the dominant geological formation is Neranleigh Fernvale beds. Lower-lying areas associated with Loders Creek appear to have an overlying layer of quaternary aged flood plain alluvium. The exception to the geological forms detailed above is the anthropogenic fill located where the alignment as it exits Smith Street and travels through the former Baratta Street landfill site (currently GCCC depot). The anthropogenic fill material would comprise the landfill itself and the soil used to cover and cap the landfill after decommissioning. A second former landfill, with similar fill types, is located at Owen Park in Queen Street Southport. Based on the extent of the landfill at this point, it is expected that the GCRT alignment will avoid this area. Based on previous investigations by Egis Consulting (2000) into this area, the landfill is likely to be bounded to the north by Loders Creek and to the south by Southport Primary School and extends beneath part of Southport Leagues Club and the Ned Twohill Equestrian Centre. The current GCRT alignment does not traverse this area. Areas of coastal floodplain (including clay silt sand and gravel) are also present from Scarborough Street and south to the Broadwater, where estuarine channels (sandy mud, muddy sand, minor gravel) are also mapped. This is prevalent where the alignment crosses the Nerang River. Three other geological/soil formations are mapped within Section 2, not including the Neranleigh Fernvale beds. The area surrounding Loders creek is mapped as Quaternary aged, flood plain alluvium, consisting mainly sands, silts and clays. The route from Southport Station to the end of Section 2 is described as Quaternary aged marine sediments (near shore sand), whilst the former landfill located at Baratta Street and the landfill also located off Queen Street consists of anthropogenic fill; mainly clays, sands and gravels. Vol 2 Chp 20–3 41/16445/364842 Gold Coast Rapid Transit Concept Design Impact Management Plan Volume 2 Chapter 20 - Soils, Geology and Topography 2.2.3 Section 3 The alignment for Section 3, west of the Gold Coast Highway, is dominated by Holocene-aged estuarine, flood plain (Q) tidal delta deposits mainly comprising clay, silt, sand, gravel and mud. The areas east of the Gold Coast Highway exhibit characteristics more consistent with Holocene-aged beach ridge system (Qhb), mainly consisting of Quartz sands.